Special Populations: Children, Elderly, and Pregnant Individuals
Children
Unexplained bruises in children, particularly infants who are not mobile, are a red flag and merit immediate evaluation for potential abuse or underlying medical disorders. Bruising over the ears, neck, trunk, or patterns like hand‑prints or belt‑marks should prompt urgent investigation. Pediatric conditions like ITP, leukemia, or vascular malformations should be ruled out.
Elderly
Thinning skin and fragile capillaries, often worsened by sun damage and corticosteroids, cause easy bruising. Aging skin also heals more slowly. Fall risk and poor vision compounds bruising risks. However, unexplained or large bruises still warrant evaluation, especially to rule out bleeding disorders or medication side effects.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy induces many changes: increased blood volume, altered platelet function, and potential for gestational thrombocytopenia. Additionally, increased falls or accidents due to changes in balance may cause bruises. However, unexplained bruising should prompt evaluation for preeclampsia‑related coagulopathy or undiagnosed bleeding disorders.
